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Tropicalization of Temperate Ecosystems in North America: The Northward Range Expansion of Tropical Organisms in Response to Warming Winter TemperaturesTropicalization is a term used to describe the transformation of temperate ecosystems by poleward-moving tropical organisms in response to warming temperatures. In North America, decreases in the frequency and intensity of extreme winter cold events are expected to allow the poleward range expansion of many cold-sensitive tropical organisms, sometimes at the expense of temperate organisms. Although ecologists have long noted the critical ecological role of winter cold temperature extremes in tropical–temperate transition zones, the ecological effects of extreme cold events have been understudied, and the influence of warming winter temperatures has too often been left out of climate change vulnerability assessments. Here, we examine the influence of extreme cold events on the northward range limits of a diverse group of tropical organisms, including terrestrial plants, coastal wetland plants, coastal fishes, sea turtles, terrestrial reptiles, amphibians, manatees, and insects. For these organisms, extreme cold events can lead to major physiological damage or landscape-scale mass mortality. Conversely, the absence of extreme cold events can foster population growth, range expansion, and ecological regime shifts. We discuss the effects of warming winters on species and ecosystems in tropical–temperate transition zones. In the 21st century, climate change-induced decreases in the frequency and intensity of extreme cold events are expected to facilitate the poleward range expansion of many tropical species. Our review highlights critical knowledge gaps for advancing understanding of the ecological implications of the tropicalization of temperate ecosystems in North America.
Document ID
20210010571
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Accepted Manuscript (Version with final changes)
Authors
Michael J. Osland ORCID
(United States Geological Survey Reston, Virginia, United States)
Philip W. Stevens ORCID
(Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Tallahassee, Florida, United States)
Margaret M. Lamont ORCID
(United States Geological Survey Reston, Virginia, United States)
Richard C. Brusca ORCID
(University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona, United States)
Kristen M. Hart ORCID
(United States Geological Survey Reston, Virginia, United States)
J. Hardin Waddle ORCID
(United States Geological Survey Reston, Virginia, United States)
Catharine A. Langtimm ORCID
(United States Geological Survey Reston, Virginia, United States)
Caroline M. Williams ORCID
(University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California, United States)
Barry D. Keim
(Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States)
Adam J. Terando ORCID
(United States Geological Survey Reston, Virginia, United States)
Eric A. Reyier
(Integrated Mission Support Service)
Katie E. Marshall ORCID
(University of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
Michael E. Loik ORCID
(University of California, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, California, United States)
Ross E. Boucek ORCID
(Bonefish and Tarpon Trust)
Amanda B. Lewis ORCID
(Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States)
Jeffrey A. Seminoff ORCID
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)
Date Acquired
February 24, 2021
Publication Date
February 19, 2021
Publication Information
Publication: Global Change Biology
Publisher: Wiley
Volume: 27
Issue: 13
Issue Publication Date: July 1, 2021
ISSN: 1354-1013
e-ISSN: 1365-2486
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80KSC020D0023
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Use by or on behalf of the US Gov. Permitted.
Technical Review
Single Expert
Keywords
climate change
climate extreme
extreme cold events
poleward migration
range expansion
tropicalization
warming
winter climate change
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